Man 'petrified' after home raided for crypto-cash

A man has told a court he is "constantly so frightened" after three men were jailed for breaking into his home and trying to steal cryptocurrency from him.

Terroll Paul, 31, Mohamed Samagassi, 37, and Pierre Madzou, 30, broke into the victim's Bristol home in the early hours of 15 May before assaulting him and demanding he hand over a large amount of the digital currency.

The victim was hit over the head and received a substantial injury requiring hospital treatment; all three men were arrested at the scene after the victim's teenage sister alerted police.

The men had all previously admitted to aggravated burglary and, on Thursday, were given prison sentences totalling 16 and a half years.

In a personal statement read out at the sentencing at Bristol Crown Court, the victim said the incident left him "constantly so frightened, paranoid, and completely petrified".

He added it had turned him into "a completely different person".

"I say and do things out of character," he said.

"Before, I was bubbly, talkative and outgoing but now I would describe myself as tense and apprehensive."

Following an investigation after their arrests, Paul, Samagassi and Madzou were charged with aggravated burglary.

They each pleaded guilty to the offence at an earlier hearing in August.

On Thursday, Paul, of Barking in London, was sentenced to six years in prison; Samagassi, of no fixed address, received a prison sentence of five years, and Madzou, of Barking in London, was jailed for five-and-a-half years.

PC Gemma Childs, the investigating officer, said the victim had fully co-operated with police throughout the investigation, demonstrating "outstanding resilience and bravery".

"The victim's younger sister has also shown extreme bravery, with her actions leading directly to the apprehension of the offenders and preventing her brother from further harm," Childs said.

"This is something that no one should have to go through in their lives, especially not a child, and her quick thinking in this situation is nothing short of remarkable."

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